Famous collection, sale.

[LadyArowana]

The auction listing is now live on their site, they will update this with results once they are known, and it's also possible to bid online too ( apparently ). I don't like auctions, spent too long living in places where the idea is to bargain the price downwards. http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/salebrowse.aspx?intSaleid=24521&viewType=list

Happy shopping

 

[Moo]

I'm surprised that Nigel and Joce aren't down there, bidding enthusiastically. All those lovely period costumes .......

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I have, somewhere in the depths of storage, a photograph of a few young Ampthillians dressed in those costumes. The Professor's daughter, Mrs Houfe, held a garden party in the grounds of Avenue House one summer -- I wore the wedding dress. Gosh, that must have been around 1970-- where does the time go, and how odd that this forthcoming sale has evoked so many memories .

 

[jocelyn plummer]

As the Christie's sale approaches, various comments regarding the demise of Avenue House and the contents are emerging. Country Life September 11th 2013 observes that it appears that The National Trust (quote) 'has mistaken its role' in 'trying to play cool Britannia' by overseeing the opening of the Big Brother House for one weekend,' rather than (quote) 'using its weight to preserve and celebrate something of real cultural interest and importance that is, as yet, popularly obscure.'

Pondering this matter so close to home, I have come to the conclusion that many of the fine pieces will now be enjoyed by other collectors, and, who knows, some may end up in their original houses.

 

[LadyArowana]

Yes sadly as the song says "you don't know what you've got till it's gone" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94bdMSCdw20

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Sadly it is only the long term residents of Ampthill who have a clue about it--the 'new' generation have no idea what history lay hidden behind the doors!

 

[Nigel Watts]

If I hadn't discovered my massive tax planning blunder when filling in my tax return yesterday I might have been tempted to buy something. I will be in selling mode for a while.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Poor Nigel!

Chris has put his foot down and said no. We must turn attention to paying for boring things like the whole house being replumbed, painful as it is. But I am very sorry to miss it.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

discovered my massive tax planning blunder when filling in my tax return yesterday I might have been tempted to buy something

Chris has put his foot down and said no.

Bad Luck--

I shall be watching on line, haven't chosen the lots yet-- have to make sure I do not click on 'place a bid' by mistake--- :!: